Why is the Chief monk of Malaysia and Singapore not in his robes?

by Siriminda, Kuala Lumpur, The Buddhist Channel, Jan 19, 2011

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Nayaka Maha Thera (Chief Sangha Nayaka ) of Malaysia and Singapore Ven. K. Sri Dhammaratana for being conferred the Datukship (the equivalent of a British Knighthood), which for non-Malaysians knowledge is a federal title that has been conferred since 1965 (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_styles_and_titles). Hence from now on (officially at least), he is Ven. Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana.

<< Ven Dhammaratana, the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia and Singapore seen receiving his Datuk title from the Malaysian King wearing a full lay suit instead of the monk's robe. Photo courtesy of China Press (Nov 24, 2010)

At the same time I am disturbed and horrified to know that the venerable donned a complete lay suit to in the investiture ceremony. This picture taken from a Chinese daily says it all.

As far as I know, there have been many priests and holy people who have been granted federal titles from the Malaysian Royalty and there were seen to receive their titles in their holy apparel.

I am just a lay person and as such I have very little knowledge of the monk’s vinaya. Nevertheless, I wish to know that by not wearing his robes, did he break any of the monk’s rules of conduct?

I was also informed that even if there was minor breach of the rules, there need to be some sort of confession between the venerable and his brother monks. How is this being handled?

We are not talking about just any monk here. Ven Datuk Dhammaratana is the head of the Sinhalese Sangha for both Malaysia and Singapore. He is also a very senior monk who has been in the robes for 45 years.

With this picture so widely distributed and talked about on the internet (including social media), I am sure that I am not the only one who is confused.

And since the venerable will place the honorific “Datuk” title in his name card, will he also put the photo of him receiving the award from the Malaysian King in his office or anywhere inside the compound of the temple where he currently resides?

I certainly feel that it is due time that the temple and the association which handle its administration come out with some statement to explain the situation to the public.

Any delay for doing so will only drive speculative discussions among members of the public which I can see will lead to even more confusion. (Buddhist Channel)

I'll like to present a clearer picture as to what might had transpired.

I've heard that during the ceremony rehearsals, Ven. Dhammaratana was in his robe. But when he attended the actual ceremony, palace officials demanded him to change into the lounge suit they provided although Ven. Dhammaratana has protested against it.

I believe this left Ven. Dhammaratana with two options.1. Leave the conferment ceremony which will be an insult to the King2. To comply and wear the lounge suit and incur a 'dukkata' to maintain the harmony between the Malaysian Buddhists and the Muslim King.

Buddha, referring to the legislative system of the day, said, “I allow you, monks, to obey kings” (Vin 1.138).

Yes..Crazy title..this make shameful in world..BUDDHA RENOW FROM PALACE TO BECOME BAGGER...THIS MONK FROM BAGGER TO BECOME KING...THIS MORE CRAZY..THAI MONKS MALAYSIA ALSO CRAZY PHRA KHRU BUT NEVER DO GOOD THINGS FOR DEVOTEES RESPECT...IN KL ALSO MANY PHRA KHRUS BUT PHRA KHRUS EMPTY..NOT DO ANYTHINGS FOR DEVOTEES..PHRA KHRUS ONLY THINK OF MONEY OR KATINNA..

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We would like inform to all committees of SAMNAK SAMBODHI BUDDHIST TEMPLE, No: 19 Jalan 38 Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are so many Myanmar condemnations about when anyone wants to become the monks, who chief monk requests them to pay about RM400.00 per head.

This is one of crushing shame and exploitation because may be that cost high for Myanmar, also this is one kind of business system in Buddhist, all of us must think in correctly, Buddha went to became a monk with free of charge and he practiced to attain Enlightenment without any cent of dollar to spend, sometimes needed to referred from the Buddha times.

Buddhist Temple in Malaysia 100% supported by public. The committees of Temple, they worked as voluntary and take care of Temple with organized but in Temple not allowed to played politic because in Temple must be clean and welcome all everyone.

Recently, do bad and good must careful because everything’s huge complaint in Internet, about Buddhist teaching a lot of at Internet, sometimes we can’t tell lie to the others one. We must help Myanmar people as they came to Malaysia to work, earn money and save money for their family at home.

We are Malaysia Buddhist must help Myanmar Buddhist, not to cheated them because they came to our country to work, we must show our good quality and our good Buddhist. Not like some committees members cheated money Myanmar monks; this is very bad Malaysia Buddhist.

Hope YIP KUM FOOK (MCA GOMBAK) realizes himself, now many people know in what he done for Buddhist, Buddhist Kamma will attack to everyone, if they do bad or good.

Ven. Ashin Indaka from Myanmar stayed in Malaysia or who is Chief monk of SAMNAK SAMBODHI BUDDHIST TEMPLE, TAMAN DESA JAYA, KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA and he who is charged Rm400 per person on who want to become a monk. It is very shameful of Buddha religion because Buddha himself want to help human being to over from suffering.

If Buddha alive, Buddha will give chance for everyone to learn Dhamma without pays any single cent because Buddha attained Enlightenment with practice in hardly, may be Ven. Ashin Indaka understanding of this subject because this basic course in Buddhist study

Better Ven. Ashin Indaka in what mistake and correct, you done mistake you must carry sin for forever, we can’t help you but you must not try to do evil in Malaysia.